Letter: This Conservative Will Vote for Yvonne Selcer

To the Editor:

Two weeks ago I was invited for coffee and a Q&A with Yvonne Selcer.   

Having students in the Hopkins School District, I knew that during her term as Board Treasurer and Chair, Yvonne improved the Districts’ finances, was recognized for the board’s excellence in fiscal management and reporting and helped put technology in students hands that will provide long-term financial benefits (reduced book, paper and reproduction costs) while also providing students and teachers access to digital learning content. 

The glossy mailers for Kirk Stensrud, however, claim Yvonne increased our property taxes and increased our school budget by 120%. What to do?

I put the glossy down, reached across the table, checked facts, and debated my findings. Here are the results.

Fact:  A 10-year facilities maintenance agreement was put in place.  Mr. Stensrud would have us believe this is equal to a “120% budget increase.” Spread the cost over 10 years and you find his claim is not true.  Strike 1. 

Fact: No single person can raise property taxes. Lower property values, a poor economy, and a voter-approved levy are drivers for property tax changes. Mr. Stensrud’s ads were misleading. Strike 2. 

Fact:   Stensrud voted to borrow money from our schools and the tobacco settlement funds to cover day-to-day state operations. Irresponsible. Strike 3. 

Fact: Mr. Stensrud’s integrity, honesty and character are now in question for me. I believe in and trust Yvonne Selcer – she has this Republican’s vote.

Rene' Porter, Minnetonka